SLEEPY EYE–Lawrence “Larry” N. Heiderscheidt, age 83 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota died on May 20, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. A prayer service will be held at 3:45 pm prior to the visitation. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – North Entrance with Knights of Columbus Rosary at 10:15 am. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11:00 am and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Craig Timmerman. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Military Honors will be provided by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www. sturmfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations will be used for a memorial for Larry.

Lawrence “Larry” Nicholas Heiderscheidt, the son of Nicholas and Helen (Landkammer) Heiderscheidt, was born on November 5, 1941, and grew up near Morgan. He attended grade school in Dotson and later in Leavenworth through the 8th grade. Larry met the love of his life, Diane Schroepfer, whom he met at the ball field in Leavenworth. They were united in marriage on August 25, 1964, and were blessed with three children.

In 1965, Larry started his own company, Heiderscheidt Digging and in 1969, he started Heiderscheidt Brothers Tile Yard with his brothers Leonard, Lowell, and Leo. Heiderscheidt Digging, as respected as its founder, is still going strong 60 years later. Having been a valued customer from the start, Larry earned the respect of John Deere and in 1980, he started pilot testing backhoes at Dubuque, Iowa, giving the engineers his honest feedback. Over the years, Larry appeared in their videos and promotional literature, including a children’s book. To this day, Heiderscheidt Digging is still in contact with the John Deere factory, building on the ideas that began with Larry. Even though he turned over the reins to his sons in 2002, Larry never really retired and remained a regular fixture at the shop he built through his final year. He cherished working with his boys.

Larry enjoyed all kinds of sports. He played baseball for the Leavenworth Orioles and Sleepy Eye Indians as well as the Western Minny League. He taught himself to golf, complete with getting a hole in one on Hole #4 and securing the Club Championship at Sleepy Eye Golf Course in 1978. The Sleepy Eye Hockey program benefited from Larry’s guidance as he coached and volunteered for many years while his sons played. A board member of the Sleepy Eye Hockey Board, Sleepy Eye Arena Board and Sleepy Eye Golf Course Board, Larry was an instrumental part in building the Sleepy Eye Arena.

Caring about others, and finding ways to help through volunteering his time, energy, and resources, came naturally to Larry. He selflessly gave to his community throughout his lifetime and to his country when he honorably served in the Army National Guard from 1963 until 1969, never wanting recognition because his service came from his heart. A faith-filled man, Larry was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

A self-made musician, Larry learned how to play guitar and banjo which led to him singing and playing guitar for the Country Swinger band and Heide and the Good Ol’ Boys. He loved playing cards with his buddies in the winter and going on hunting and fishing trips with family and friends, especially Donny Mathiowetz. He was famous for pulling pranks, teasing, and knowing how to have fun. Spending time with his family was most important to Larry. He was full of life and brought sunshine to everyone he met. He was an icon, a legend, and an amazing man with the biggest of hearts who leaves a legacy of hard work, laughter, and caring about others. Larry will be missed beyond measure.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Diane Heiderscheidt; three children, Todd (Maureen) Heiderscheidt, Terry (Shelly) Heiderscheidt and Jenny (Joel) Stevens; grandchildren, Jamie Fitzgerald, Sam Heiderscheidt, Mandee Marz, Karlie Mathiowetz, Lucas Heiderscheidt, Max Heiderscheidt, Emily Stevens, and Jacob Stevens; great grandchildren, Nella, Breck, Millie, and Barrett Fitzgerald, Jack and Blake Heiderscheidt, Ava Schrempp, Calvin, Graham, and Hewitt Mathiowetz, and Ramsey and Reagan Heiderscheidt; siblings, Lorrayne (Rich) Carlson, Marcia Heiderscheidt, Lowell (Gail) Heiderscheidt, Leo Heiderscheidt, Leona Heiderscheidt, Lyle (Diane) Heiderscheidt, Lenus (Ginger) Heiderscheidt, Lynette (Grant) Jensen, LeAnn (Michael) Duckett, and LaMonte (Chris) Heiderscheidt; and many other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Nick Heiderscheidt; and siblings, Lois (Jim) Filzen, LaDonna (Leon) Helget, Luverne (Trixie) and Debbie Heiderscheidt, and Leonard (Marcia) Heiderscheidt.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Adam, Dr. Pelzel, Sleepy Eye Medical Center staff, Allina Hospice, and Leading Choice for the excellent care given to Larry.

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